STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

- cheap shoes. Like Payless or Target. Most of their shoes are hideously uncomfortable for me. I know many of you *love* your Target shoes, but they either hurt my feet or they just look cheap to me. The most moderate brand I wear are Nine West / Bandolino, which are comfortable for me, but better made shoes (i.e. Kate Spade) just fit my feet better. I'm betting that if I ever get my hands on a pair of Blahniks or something, they'll feel like heaven. *s*

- Most things from ON. I buy summer stuff there - things that will last a few seasons and then need to be replaced. Blazers from there (and often from Target, Gap, etc) never fit me right - I need a large in the shoulders / chest, but the mfr.'s always assume "large" means bigger in the waist (I am a size 6 waist) so they're hideously boxy.

- Lots of stuff from Anthro. I don't believe the quality of their mdse. (in most cases) justifies the price. I own one Anthro tank and a belt. Ditto with Arden B. I have one *adorable* tank from there, but I go check on them occasionally, and the "hits" for me are few and far between. I also find stores like Arden B and Bebe to be overly trendy, and I prefer more classic clothes.

- Anything with an obvious brand on it - like the T's that Brazen mentioned. I don't do polo shirts, but I would never wear anything with the polo pony on it (like a tee), or anything that just screams out a designer's name. Though handbags might be a different story...if I could afford designer handbags. I think a discreet logo might be okay. Though I would make an exception for Gucci (don't ask me why, but I like the double-G logo).

- I used to shop at Charlotte Russe when I was younger, for going-out clothes (I am old enough to remember when they carried more conservative clothing (yes, really!)), but I've never been in a F21 store (we didn't have them in AZ and don't in GA) and I can't stand places like Wet Seal, etc. The quality of the clothing, IMO, is just so poor that I can't even spend like $10 on something there. And usually those clothes are cut in very small sizing, and I've already mentioned my shoulders / chest issue with jackets & tops. I would wear an XL top if necessary - I don't really care what's on the size label for tops - but most of the time nothing in those stores comes in that size.

- Things that simply don't flatter my figure. I am curvy and 5', 5.5", so I have to watch that jackets & tops don't pull too much across the chest, etc. I refuse to buy anything unless I am truly happy with the fit, or am willing to pay the tailor to fix it for me.

I will never buy completely flat shoes from Payless again.  I have a deeply arched foot, so the extremely flat and very cheap shoes Payless produces are extremely uncomfortable.

I will never buy another mini van again!  You'd think that would be a given, but I succumed to that urge after my second was born.  I felt like a dork!  I kept it all of 3 months and then got  a big honkin' Suburban!

Cashmere/Silk Blend sweaters from express- they are crap!

Sweaters from Abercrombie- pilled in 1 wearing

Bras from anywhere but vicki's- might as well stick with what works!

Button up blouses from Ny & Co. Better yet, anything from there, i am always unhappy.

Jeans from American Eagle- I have thighs and they think that all girls are super skinny!